Using Dental Appliances For Sleep Apnea

By Marcie Goodman


Dental appliances for sleep apnea have been used for over ten years now, and their effectiveness has been proved. There are different forms of this disorder. Oral devices help alleviate 'obstructive' apnea, caused by airway obstruction, although they are really designed to stop snoring. There are some lifestyle changes that can help this disorder, although medical diagnosis and treatment are recommended.

People afflicted with this disorder rarely get adequate rest, because they stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping. The interruptions last from ten seconds to several minutes, and this may happen many times an hour. Understandably, sufferers are fatigued, sleepy during the day, and may become increasingly irritable and even aggressive. They have difficulty performing routine tasks and may become clinically depressed.

A small number of cases of apnea are caused by brain malfunction, but most are throat and airway blockages. The last is 'obstructive' and can be treated with oral appliances as a first response. This use of a device that fits over the teeth is recommended by sleep therapy professionals.

The majority of sufferers are obese and often have other serious health issues. The soft tissues of the airways collapse when the person reclines, which can be helped by elevating the upper body during repose or sleeping on the side rather than the back. Losing weight is very important in addressing this problem, and stopping smoking and eliminating alcohol are also helpful.

Serious diseases like heart problems or those which cause chronic pain can be complicated by apnea, which can be caused by some medications. The brain is affected by sleeping disruption, and patients exhibit a variety of symptoms, making diagnosis more difficult. Some people suffer memory loss, some have difficulty in concentrating, and others may find routine tasks hard to perform. This affects daily living, job performance, and total health.

The oral devices designed to control snoring fit over the teeth and work by advancing the lower jaw slightly. This opens up the upper airway, reducing snoring. It also is effective at keeping the airway from collapsing on itself. There are many different FDA-approved devices on the market. Go online to see how the devices work, the different ways they can be adjusted to give a good fit, and the guarantees of satisfaction that manufacturers offer. Materials used vary from medicals grades to those which use FDA-approved plastics that are BPA and latex free.

It is usually other people in the household who alert sufferers to their problem, because those afflicted are unaware that they have irregular breathing patterns. For those who live with such a person, the snoring is annoying but the interruptions to breathing are frightening. A definitive diagnosis can be made at a clinic which monitors sleeping behavior during one or more nights spent under observation.

Dental appliances for sleep apnea are recommended as the first thing to try in treating this disorder. Not getting adequate rest is a serious handicap, so anyone who suspects that they or family members have this problem should seek medical help. Lifestyle changes alone might suffice if people are truly dedicated to losing weight and exercising their way back to health. However, any such major changes should also be done under medical supervision.




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